Review: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3 Ep. 8

Summary: Inhumans have begun popping up all over the globe now that the Terrigen strain has been released into the ozone. Phil Coulson, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., is leading a task force to detain these Inhumans before they unleash unknown catastrophe on the world. However he meets opposition from all sides including the U.S. Military. Things are not the same and this is a tale of a changed people.

“Many Heads, One Tale”

Directed by Garry A.Brown; Written by Jed Whedon & DJ Doyle

[SPOILERS!!]

Review: Well crap. Ask and ye shall receive, or better DEMAND and ye shall receive. Last review Ii demanded that this season end with Fitz and Simmons locking lips, coming to terms with their feelings for one another once and for all. And while the latter part didn’t happen all the way, the former part was an event that made blink twice in total astonishment. You go Ftiz.

Of course that may be the first thing I’m commenting on, but it is by far not the only cool thing that happened this episode. In fact, there were many. Getting back to Fitz and Simmons however if only for a moment I gotta say that scene was on of the most emotionally driven of the season yet. Again, I pass on praise to the writers for really giving these two a firm, realistic relationship that they must break down and build back up together if they’re going to get anywhere.

And while their relationship is still rocky, at least they’re finally making progress with both coming to a head about their feelings and the stress this entire interplanetary issue has put upon them. It’s a heavy moment, and I continue to believe their story is my favorite of the season. Which is funny, for all my love of the strange and fantastical it’s the most human element and the most down to Earth (ironically) that has my heart skipping the most beats every time it makes an appearance.

I really am enjoying how much story we’re getting this season, there’s really no playing around anymore. There’s very little beating around the bush and I love that. I was complaining last review about the sudden change in Price’s character. Another HYDRA agent, I was just livid. I also complained a few reviews ago about Coulson hopefully not getting too cocky and feeling like he was holding all the cards.

Both instances of anger turned to calm when both instances of premature assumption turned out to be wrong. AndI really should learn to think more clearly next time, as while I am STILL not into the whole Daisy/Lincoln conundrum, it may warm on me if they do it right. We get inklings this episode of the writers deciding to take this relationship also a bit more slowly which I am all for.

We also get plenty of great HYDRA stuff this episode. While I have never been a huge fan of HYDRA in the comics of show, I felt HYDRA was at its coolest in season 1, and I tolerated them in season 2. Having them again in season 3 isn’t all around bad, I’m just ready for fresh meat villains. Finding out the secret history of HYDRA this episode really made them a bit cooler in my book as the means to an end is for them to get the world ready for a more powerful being, not just their own. It gives them more character than contemporary Nazis.

And of course, sure, Red Skull and Garrett were definitely just out to take over the world for their own grand designs, but it’s really cool to see the last remaining head going after the original prize. It also legitimizes von Strucker’s experiments on Wanda and Pietro a bit more in Winter Soldier/Age of Ultron. Where as HYDRA in Winter Soldier was more Nazi like, Strucker and Malick are more cult like. This, this I like very much strangely enough.

Also, I’m not really sure what happened this episode but at long last Ward got interesting this episode for me. Again, I can’t explain why, I’m not sure what he did, but for the first in a very long time I walked away from this episode thinking “Okay, I’m interested to see where Ward’s story goes.” So, I guess I’m interested to see where it goes.

A really, REALLY good episode.

Final Score: 4.5 Tales ofHYDRA out of 5

Derrick is a born and raised otaku with a love for comics, anime, manga and movies. The full list is pretty long, but that’s just the basics. Stories set in space are his bread and butter.